Jetavana

monastic settlement, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

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June 29, 2026

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Jetavana was a significant Buddhist monastic settlement located in Anuradhapura, the ancient capital of Sri Lanka. Founded in the late 3rd century BCE by King Devanampiya Tissa, it became a major center for Theravada Buddhism until around the 10th century CE. The largest stupa at Anuradhapura, though now ruined, is the Jetavana.12

Separately, Jetavana Monastery was also an important religious site in Shravasti, ancient India. This monastery was presented to the Buddha by a wealthy banker and was a key location associated with his life and teachings.3

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South Asian arts
Sri Lankan architecture
…other sites; of these the Jetavana at Anurādhapura is the largest, though now largely ruined.
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…other sites; of these the Jetavana at Anurādhapura is the largest, though now largely ruined.
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Buddha
The post-enlightenment period
The monastery of Jetavana in the city of Shravasti (Savatthi), where the Buddha spent much of his time and delivered many of the discourses, was donated to the Buddha by the wealthy banker Anathapindada (Pali: Anathapindika).
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The monastery of Jetavana in the city of Shravasti (Savatthi), where the Buddha spent much of his time and delivered many of the discourses, was donated to the Buddha by the wealthy banker Anathapindada (Pali: Anathapindika).
Read More

Shravasti
…important religious place was the Jetavana Monastery, which was erected in a garden outside the walls of the city and presented to the Buddha by a wealthy banker, Anathapindaka. Other important Buddhist monasteries were the Rajakarama and the Purvarama. Shravasti was also an important centre for the Jainas.
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…important religious place was the Jetavana Monastery, which was erected in a garden outside the walls of the city and presented to the Buddha by a wealthy banker, Anathapindaka. Other important Buddhist monasteries were the Rajakarama and the Purvarama. Shravasti was also an important centre for the Jainas.
Read More